Board votes to remove Pulaski County, Helena school districts from state control

The state Board of Education on Thursday voted to remove the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts from state control and fiscal distress.

The districts were classified as being in fiscal distress on May 16, 2011, and Sept. 13, 2010, respectively.

Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena will each return to local control after the election and training of school boards. School board elections are in September.

Education Commissioner Johnny Key said he is confident that the Pulaski County Special School District, despite ongoing challenges, is now equipped to handle issues as they arise.

"This recommendation certainly does not diminish the challenges that Pulaski County faces concerning the detachment [of Jacksonville] and continuing desegregation obligations," Key said.

Jerry Guess, the district's superintendent, said the removal of state control comes at a "difficult time" for the Pulaski County Special School District, referencing the formation of the new Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District.

"The detachment of Jacksonville is expected to reduce our revenue by some $40 million and the loss of the [desegregation] money is in excess of $20 million," Guess said, adding that "significant" challenges are associated with addressing those issues.

Andrew Bagley, president of the Helena-West Helena district's Community Advisory Board, spoke before the state board voted Thursday, saying that his district "has its fiscal house in order."

"We will not let the scarlet 'F' of fiscal distress be placed on our forehead ever again," Bagley said. "I really believe that because we were embarrassed."

Helena-West Helena Superintendent John Hoy credited the support of district officials, the community and the state education department for its newly granted local control.

Key said it is "imperative" for community support to continue in Helena-West Helena.

"This is the second time that they have been under state control and released," he said.

The state education board Thursday also approved and denied a number of waiver requests from the Helena-West Helena School District related to an open-enrollment public charter school.

That charter school, Kipp Delta Public Schools, has attracted some of the district's students, according to officials.

Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.